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Early-Onset
Bipolar
Childhood Bipolar Disorder is a serious but
treatable illness with symptoms starting as
early as infancy. There is a great need for
early detection and treatment in children so
that they may be provided the opportunity,
support and encouragement that is needed to live a
well balanced life. Do you think your child may
have bipolar disorder: Children with bipolar
disorder may exhibit different symptoms than
adults. These include ongoing mood swings,
mixed
episodes, and other complications. A diagnosis
should be made by a qualified and board
certified child and adolescent psychiatrist
using the DSM-IV criteria. If you are uncertain
about what one practioner says, get a second or
third opinion.
This is a very serious matter
that has a standard of care calling for medication for the
child-maybe for life. Don't you feel it worth
making absolutely sure that your child truly has
what the doctor says he or she has?
Misdiagnoses, while unfortunate, do happen. If I
achieve nothing else, I want to assist you in
becoming educated on not only the illness, but
your child. Take the time to find a doctor, if
you can, that will spend more than 15 minutes
with your child. Your child is multifaceted and
therefore, each part of his life, and subsequent
behavior should be discussed. We hope to help
provide some of the education you need to be
armed with the knowledge and questions you may
have
for the doctor.
A good, accurate diagnosis takes time, sometimes
multiple sessions. Involve yourself with your
child's treatment. Ask questions. Understand why
a diagnosis is being given.
Click here for an online
directory of specialists. If you feel
more comfortable, call or visit your primary
care physician or pediatrician to get the ball rolling.
If you have a specific question please feel free
to
email us. I
just ask that you be patient. We get a large
volume of emails and I get to them as soon as I
can.
The symptoms
of Early-Onset Bipolar listed here are collected from
NIMH:
Children and teens having a
manic episode may:
• Feel very happy or act silly in a way that's
unusual
• Have a very short temper
• Talk really fast about a lot of different
things
• Have trouble sleeping but not feel tired
• Have trouble staying focused
• Talk and think about sex more often
• Do risky things.
Children and teens having a depressive episode
may:
• Feel very sad
• Complain about pain a lot, like stomachaches
and headaches
• Sleep too little or too much
• Feel guilty and worthless
• Eat too little or too much
• Have little energy and no interest in fun
activities
• Think about death or suicide.
If you have noticed any of the above in your
child or teen, please, call for help. Use the
directory link above or search the yellow pages
for a local mental health clinic or child
psychiatrist or psychologist specializing in
children and bipolar disorder. There is hope for you
and your child. If you are looking for valuable
support for yourself in this time of trouble,
give our
online support group a try. Just
click here to
get signed up!
Related Links
Healthy Kids
NIMH Child and Adolescent Mental
Health
Last update:
February 1, 2010
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